As the government fails to come up with a proper mechanism to check faulty CNG kits and substandard cylinders in public transport vehicles, All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has taken the lead by announcing inspection of commercial vehicles in 25 cities from December 28. Chairman APCNGA Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said on Saturday that they would be starting inspection and certification of CNG equipment in public transport vehicles to prevent reoccurring of accidents due to substandard and unlicensed CNG kits and cylinders.
During last few weeks many accidents occurred due to leakage of CNG kits that lead to fatal blasts and inferno resulting in many deaths. More than three million vehicles are converted on CNG during last few years due to comparative low price of CNG as compared to petrol and diesel. The government estimates 310 mmcfd gas is used by CNG sector.
Denying the impression that they have taken the step upon the instruction of government, he said they have taken the initiative on their own and have not received any directives from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). He said OGRA had asked them to submit proposals by December 26.
Paracha said CNG stations were not responsible for the fatal accidents and held government responsible for its failure to check installation of unlicensed kits and substandard cylinders. He said they have asked the government several times to check illegal kit conversions but responsible departments had not taken any action. An OGRA spokesman said Chairman OGRA has taken serious notice of recent fire related accidents in CNG fitted public service vehicles and a meeting was called with APCNGA to address the issue. APCNGA was advised that CNG Stations should immediately stop filling CNG in all public service vehicles which do not qualify the laid down standard as per CNG Rules, 1992.
Chairman OGRA pointed out that the main cause in most of the fire related accidents was due to improper CNG fittings, location of cylinders beneath seats or on roof top from un-authorised workshops resulted in gas leakages and explosions. It was confirmed by HDIP and other approved third party inspectors. It was also pointed out that CNG Stations are not following the mandatory refueling procedure.
APCNGA was advised all CNG stations should follow CNG refueling procedure in letter and spirit while checking validity of test certificate of CNG cylinder in vehicles prior to filling. It was also directed that APCNGA should constitute teams to visit CNG stations at random to ensure public safety. Moreover a team comprising of representatives of OGRA, APCNGA, HDIP and OMCs was constituted to check safety measures at CNG stations to ensure public safety.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a highly pressurised gas for which specially designed and fabricated seamless cylinders manufactured in accordance with prescribed standard are used in vehicles. Only the valid licensees, CNG stations are authorised to convert vehicles to CNG at their respective facilities and provide CNG cylinder test certificate. Only imported brand new CNG vehicle cylinders within its periodic test life duly approved by OGRA, and approved CNG kits should be installed in vehicles.
